The Series of Rare Earth Complexes [Ln2Cl6(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)6], Ln=Y,Pr, Nd,Sm‐Yb: A Molecular Model System for Luminescence Properties in MOFs Based on LnCl3 and 4,4′‐Bipyridine

A series of 12 dinuclear complexes [Ln₂Cl₆(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)₆], Ln=Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, ( 1 – 12 , respectively) was synthesized by an anhydrous solvothermal reaction in pyridine. The complexes contain a 4,4′‐bipyridine bridge and exhibit a coordination sphere closely related to luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on LnCl₃ and 4,4‐bipyridine. The dinuclear complexes therefore function as a molecular model system to provide a better understanding of the luminescence mechanisms in the Ln‐N‐MOFs ${\hbox{}{{\hfill 2\atop \hfill \infty }}}$ [Ln₂Cl₆(4,4′‐bipy)₃] ? 2(4,4′‐bipy). Accordingly, the luminescence properties of the complexes with Ln=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, ( 1 , 4 – 8 ) were determined, showing an antenna effect through a ligand–metal energy transfer. The highest efficiency of luminescence is observed for the terbium‐based compound 7 displaying a high quantum yield (QY of 86 %). Excitation with UV light reveals typical emission colors of lanthanide‐dependent intra 4f–4f‐transition emissions in the visible range (Tb^III: green, Eu^III: red, Sm^III: salmon red, Dy^III: yellow). For the Gd^III‐ and Y^III‐containing compounds 6 and 1 , blue emission based on triplet phosphorescence is observed. Furthermore, ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) states, based on the interaction of Cl^? with Eu^III, were observed for the Eu^III compound 5 including energy‐transfer processes to the Eu^III ion. Altogether, the model complexes give further insights into the luminescence of the related MOFs, for example, rationalization of Ln‐independent quantum yields in the related MOFs.     

Luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ Complexes of Two Macrobicyclic Ligands Derived from a Tetralactam Ring and a Chromophoric Antenna

Two macrobicyclic ligands derived from an 18‐membered tetralactam ring and 2,2′‐bipyridine or 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine moieties, 1 and 2 , respectively, form stable complexes with Gd^III, Eu^III, and Tb^III ions in aqueous solution. The ligand‐based luminescence is retained in the Gd^III cryptates, whereas this radiative deactivation is quenched in the Eu^III and Tb^III cryptates by ligand‐to‐metal energy transfer, resulting in the usual metal‐centered emission spectra. Singlet‐ and triplet‐state energies, emission‐decay lifetimes, and luminescence yields were measured. [Tb⊂ 1 ]³⁺ cryptate shows a long luminescence lifetime (τ=1.12 ms) and a very high metal luminescence quantum yield (Φ=0.25) in comparison with those reported in the literature for Tb³⁺ complexes sensitized by a bipyridine chromophore. By comparison to [Ln⊂ 1 ]³⁺, [Ln⊂ 2 ]³⁺ presents markedly lower luminescence properties, due to worse interaction between the 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine unit and the metal ion. Moreover, the luminescent metal and the triplet ligand energy levels of [Eu⊂ 2 ]³⁺ do not match. The effects of H₂O molecules coordinated to the metal centre and of thermally activated decay processes on nonradiative deactivation to the ground‐state are also reported.     

Three Novel Mixed‐ligand Cadmium(II) Sulfonates with Aza‐aromatic Skeltons as Co‐ligands

To survey the influence of aza‐aromatic co‐ligands on the structure of Cadmium(II) sulfonates, three Cd(II) complexes with mixed‐ligand, [Cd^II(ANS)₂(phen)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd^II(ANS)₂(2,2′‐bipy)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cd^II(ANS)₂(4,4′‐bipy)₂]_n ( 3 ) (ANS = 2‐aminonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Of the three complexes, ANS consistently coordinates to Cd²⁺ ion as a monodentate ligand. While phen in 1 and 2,2′‐bipy in 2 act as N,N‐bidentate chelating ligands, leading to the formation of a discrete mononuclear unit; 4,4′‐bipy in 3 bridges two Cd^II atoms in bis‐monodentate fashion to produce a 2‐D layered network, suggesting that the conjugate skeleton and the binding site of the co‐ligands have a moderate effect on molecular structure, crystal stacking pattern, and intramolecular weak interactions. In addition, the three complexes exhibit similar luminescent emissions originate from the transitions between the energy levels of sulfonate anions.     

Structural and photophysical properties of coordination networks combining [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- anions and lanthanide(III) cations: rates of photoinduced Ru-to-lanthanide energy transfer and sensitized near-infrared luminescence

Co-crystallization of K2[Ru(bipy)(CN)4] with lanthanide(III) salts (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) from aqueous solution affords coordination oligomers and networks in which the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- unit is connected to the lanthanide cation via Ru-CN-Ln bridges. The complexes fall into two structural types: [{Ru(bipy)(CN)4}2{Ln(H2O)m}{K(H2O)n}] x xH2O (Ln = Pr, Er, Yb; m = 7, 6, 6, respectively), in which two [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- units are connected to a single lanthanide ion by single cyanide bridges to give discrete trinuclear fragments, and [{Ru(bipy)(CN)4}3{Ln(H2O)4}2] x xH2O (Ln = Nd, Gd), which contain two-dimensional sheets of interconnected, cyanide-bridged Ru2Ln2 squares. In the Ru-Gd system, the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- unit shows the characteristic intense (3)metal-to-ligand charge transfer luminescence at 580 nm with tau = 550 ns; with the other lanthanides, the intensity and lifetime of this luminescence are diminished because of a Ru --> Ln photoinduced energy transfer to low-lying emissive states of the lanthanide ions, resulting in sensitized near-infrared luminescence in every case. From the degree of quenching of the Ru-based emission, Ru --> Ln energy-transfer rates can be estimated, which are in the order Yb (k(EnT) approximately 3 x 10(6) sec(-1), the slowest energy transfer) < Er < Pr < Nd (k(EnT) approximately 2 x 10(8) sec(-1), the fastest energy transfer). This order may be rationalized on the basis of the availability of excited f-f levels on the lanthanide ions at energies that overlap with the Ru-based emission spectrum. In every case, the lifetime of the lanthanide-based luminescence is short (tens/hundreds of nanoseconds, instead of the more usual microseconds), even when the water ligands on the lanthanide ions are replaced by D2O to eliminate the quenching effects of OH oscillators; we tentatively ascribe this quenching effect to the cyanide ligands.     

Cyanide-bridged Os(II)/Ln(III) coordination networks containing [Os(phen)(CN)4]2- as an energy donor: structural and photophysical properties

Slow evaporation of aqueous solutions containing mixtures of Na 2[Os(phen)(CN) 4], Ln(III) salts (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Er, Yb), and (in some cases) an additional ligand such as 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym) afforded crystalline coordination networks in which the [Os(phen)(CN) 4] (2-) anions are coordinated to Ln(III) cations via Os-CN-Ln cyanide bridges. The additional diimine ligands, if present, also coordinate to the Ln(III) centers. Several types of structure have been identified by X-ray crystallographic studies. Photophysical studies showed that the characteristic emission of the [Os(phen)(CN) 4] (2-) chromophore, which occurs at approximately 680 nm in this type of coordination environment with a triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ( (3)MLCT) energy content of approximately 16 000 cm (-1), is quenched by energy transfer to those Ln(III) centers (Pr, Nd, Er, Yb) that have low-lying f-f states capable of accepting energy from the Os(II)-based (3)MLCT state. Time-resolved studies on the residual (partially quenched) Os(II)-based luminescence allowed the rates of Os(II) --> Ln(III) energy transfer to be evaluated. The measured rates varied substantially, having values of >5 x 10 (8), approximately 1 x 10 (8), and 2.5 x 10 (7) s (-1) for Ln = Nd, Er or Yb, and Pr, respectively. These differing rates of Os(II) --> Ln(III) energy transfer can be rationalized on the basis of the availability of f-f states of the different Ln(III) centers that are capable of acting as energy acceptors. In general, the rates of Os(II) --> Ln(III) energy transfer are an order of magnitude faster than the rates of Ru(II) --> Ln(III) energy transfer in a previously described series of [Ru(bipy)(CN) 4] (2-)/Ln(III) networks. This is ascribed principally to the lower energy of the Os(II)-based (3)MLCT state, which provides better spectroscopic overlap with the low-lying f-f states of the Ln(III) ions.     

Highly Efficient Visible‐to‐NIR Luminescence of Lanthanide(III) Complexes with Zwitterionic Ligands Bearing Charge‐Transfer Character: Beyond Triplet Sensitization

Two zwitterionic‐type ligands featuring π–π* and intraligand charge‐transfer (ILCT) excited states, namely 1,1′‐(2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(methylene)dipyridinium‐4‐olate (TMPBPO) and 1‐dodecylpyridin‐4(1 H)‐one (DOPO), have been prepared and applied to the assembly of lanthanide coordination complexes in an effort to understand the ligand‐direction effect on the structure of the Ln complexes and the ligand sensitization effect on the luminescence of the Ln complexes. Due to the wide‐band triplet states plus additional ILCT excitation states extending into lower energy levels, broadly and strongly sensitized photoluminescence of f→f transitions from various Ln³⁺ ions were observed to cover the visible to near‐infrared (NIR) regions. Among which, the Pr, Sm, Dy, and Tm complexes simultaneously display both strong visible and NIR emissions. Based on the isostructural feature of the Ln complexes, color tuning and single‐component white light was achieved by preparation of solid solutions of the ternary systems Gd‐Eu‐Tb (for TMPBPO) and La‐Eu‐Tb and La‐Dy‐Sm (for DOPO). Moreover, the visible and NIR luminescence lifetimes of the Ln complexes with the TMPBPO ligand were investigated from 77 to 298 K, revealing a strong temperature dependence of the Tm³⁺ (³H₄) and Yb³⁺ (²F_5/2) decay dynamics, which has not been explored before for their coordination complexes.     

Remarkable Tuning of the Coordination and Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide Ions in a Series of Tetrazole‐Based Complexes

A series of seven new tetrazole‐based ligands (L1, L3–L8) containing terpyridine or bipyridine chromophores suited to the formation of luminescent complexes of lanthanides have been synthesized. All ligands were prepared from the respective carbonitriles by thermal cycloaddition of sodium azide. The crystal structures of the homoleptic terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes [Ln(Li)₂]NHEt₃ (Ln=Nd, Eu, Tb for i=1, 2; Ln=Eu for i=3, 4) and of the monoaquo bypyridine–tetrazolate complex [Eu(H₂O)(L7)₂]NHEt₃ were determined. The tetradentate bipyridine–tetrazolate ligand forms nonhelical complexes that can contain a water molecule coordinated to the metal. Conversely, the pentadentate terpyridine–tetrazolate ligands wrap around the metal, thereby preventing solvent coordination and forming chiral double‐helical complexes similarly to the analogue terpyridine–carboxylate. Proton NMR spectroscopy studies show that the solid‐state structures of these complexes are retained in solution and indicate the kinetic stability of the hydrophobic complexes of terpyridine–tetrazolates. UV spectroscopy results suggest that terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes have a similar stability to their carboxylate analogues, which is sufficient for their isolation in aerobic conditions. The replacement of the carboxylate group with tetrazolate extends the absorption window of the corresponding terpyridine‐ (≈20 nm) and bipyridine‐based (25 nm) complexes towards the visible region (up to 440 nm). Moreover, the substitution of the terpyridine–tetrazolate system with different groups in the ligand series L3–L6 has a very important effect on both absorption spectra and luminescence efficiency of their lanthanide complexes. The tetrazole‐based ligands L1 and L3–L8 sensitize efficiently the luminescent emission of lanthanide ions in the visible and near‐IR regions with quantum yields ranging from 5 to 53 % for Eu^III complexes, 6 to 35 % for Tb^III complexes, and 0.1 to 0.3 % for Nd^III complexes, which is among the highest reported for a neodymium complex. The luminescence efficiency could be related to the energy of the ligand triplet states, which are strongly correlated to the ligand structures.     

Variable Luminescence and Chromaticity of Homoleptic Frameworks of the Lanthanides together with Pyridylpyrazolates

Homoleptic, 3D coordination polymers of the formula ³³_∞[Ln(3-PyPz)₃] and ³_∞[Ln(4-PyPz)₃], (3-PyPz)⁻=3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazolate anion, (4-PyPz)⁻=3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolate anion, both C₈H₆N₃⁻, Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, were obtained as highly luminescent frameworks by reaction of the lanthanide metals (Ln) with the aromatic heterocyclic amine ligands 3-PyPzH and 4-PyPzH. The compounds form two isotypic series of 3D coordination polymers and exhibit fair thermal stability up to 360 °C. The luminescence properties of all ten compounds were determined in the solid state, with an antenna effect through ligand–metal energy transfer leading to high efficiency of the luminescence displayed by good quantum yields of up to 74 %. The emission is mainly based on ion-specific lanthanide-dependent intra 4 f–4 f transitions for Tb³⁺: green, Dy³⁺: yellow, Sm³⁺: orange-red, Eu³⁺: red. For the Gd³⁺-containing compounds, the yellow emission of ligand triplet-based phosphorescence is observed at room temperature and 77 K. Co doping of the Gd-containing frameworks with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ allow further shifting of the chromaticity towards white light emission.     

Light Harvesting and Directional Energy Transfer in Long‐Lived Homo‐ and Heterotrimetallic Complexes of FeII,RuII, and OsII

A new family of trimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)₂M(phen‐Hbzim‐tpy)M′(tpy‐Hbzim‐phen)M(bpy)₂]⁶⁺ (M=Ru^II, Os; M′=Fe^II, Ru^II, Os; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) derived from heteroditopic phenanthroline–terpyridine bridge 2‐{4‐[2,6‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl) pyridine‐4‐yl]phenyl}‐1H‐imidazole[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (phen‐Hbzim‐tpy) were prepared and fully characterized. Zn²⁺ was used to prepare mixed‐metal trimetallic complexes in situ by coordinating with the free tpy site of the monometallic precursors. The complexes show intense absorptions throughout the UV/Vis region and also exhibit luminescence at room temperature. The redox behavior of the compounds is characterized by several metal‐centered reversible oxidation and ligand‐centered reduction processes. Steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence data show that the potentially luminescent Ru^II‐ and Os^II‐based triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) excited states in the triads are quantitatively quenched, most likely by intercomponent energy transfer to the lower lying ³MLCT (for Ru and Os) or triplet metal‐centered (³MC) excited states of the Fe^II subunit (nonluminescent). Interestingly, iron did not adversely affect the photophysics of the respective systems. This suggests that the multicomponent molecular‐wire‐like complexes investigated here can behave as efficient light‐harvesting antennas, because all the light absorbed by the various subunits is efficiently channeled to the subunit(s) in which the lowest‐energy excited states are located.     

Coordination Adducts of Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V) Azide M(N3)5 (M=Nb,Ta) with Nitrogen Donor Ligands and their Self‐Ionization

Several new donor–acceptor adducts of niobium and tantalum pentaazide with N‐donor ligands have been prepared from the pentafluorides by fluoride–azide exchange with Me₃SiN₃ in the presence of the corresponding donor ligand. With 2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline, the self‐ionization products [MF₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻, [M(N₃)₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻ and [M(N₃)₄(1,10‐phen)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻ were obtained. With the donor ligands 3,3′‐bipyridine and 4,4′‐bipyridine the neutral pentaazide adducts (M(N₃)₅)₂⋅L (M=Nb, Ta; L=3,3′‐bipy, 4,4′‐bipy) were formed.     

Coordination Adducts of Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V) Azide M(N3)5 (M=Nb,Ta) with Nitrogen Donor Ligands and their Self‐Ionization

Several new donor–acceptor adducts of niobium and tantalum pentaazide with N‐donor ligands have been prepared from the pentafluorides by fluoride–azide exchange with Me₃SiN₃ in the presence of the corresponding donor ligand. With 2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline, the self‐ionization products [MF₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^?, [M(N₃)₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^? and [M(N₃)₄(1,10‐phen)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^? were obtained. With the donor ligands 3,3′‐bipyridine and 4,4′‐bipyridine the neutral pentaazide adducts (M(N₃)₅)₂?L (M=Nb, Ta; L=3,3′‐bipy, 4,4′‐bipy) were formed.     

Heteronuclear bipyrimidine-bridged Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads: low-energy 3MLCT states as energy-donors to Yb(III) and Nd(III)

The complexes [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(bpym)X(2)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [M((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(bpym)][PF(6)](2) (M = Ru, Os) all have a low-energy LUMO arising from the presence of a 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligand, and consequently have lower-energy (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states than analogous complexes of bipyridine. The vacant site of the bpym ligand provides a site at which [Ln(diketonate)(3)] units can bind to afford bipyrimidine-bridged dinuclear Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads; four such complexes have been structurally characterised. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic studies show that binding of the Ln(III) fragment at the second site of the bpym ligand reduces the (3)MLCT energy of the Ru or Os fragment still further. The result is that in the dyads [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)X(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [Os((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT is too low to sensitise the luminescent f-f states of Nd(III) and Yb(III), but in [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT energy of 13,500 cm(-1) permits energy transfer to Yb(III) and Nd(III) resulting in sensitised near-infrared luminescence on the microsecond timescale.     

Metal Template Synthesis of ‘Broken’ Aromatic Preorganized Terdentate Hosts for the Recognition of Lanthanide Tris-β-Diketonate Guests

The binding of the terdentate precursor 2,2′-(4-methyl-3,5-divinylpyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(1-allyl-5-bromo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole) ( 1 ) to the lanthanide container [Ln(hfac)₃] (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Y, Er; H-hfac=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) ensures the cis-cis orientation of the two adjacent α,α′-diimine units that is required for the successful intramolecular Grubb ring-closing metathesis generating the target rigid 6-methyl-9,11-dihydro-1H,3H-2λ²,10λ²-pyrido[2,3-c:6,5-c′]bis(azepine) scaffold decorated with two terminal 5-bromo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole in ligand L7 . The bond valence analysis of the crystal structures of the associated nine-coordinate adducts [ L7 Ln(hfac)₃] (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Er, Y) reveals a satisfying match between the rigid terdentate cavity and the size of the bound lanthanide metal, with a pronounced preference for the largest lanthanum cation. Thermodynamic studies in dichloromethane confirm the formation of [ L7 Ln(hfac)₃] adducts with unprecedented stabilities due to the removal of the energy penalty associated with trans-trans to cis-cis reorganization. The introduction of saturated methylene groups within the polyaromatic ligand backbone breaks extended aromatic delocalization and clears the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum from emission arising from low-energy ligand-based excited states.     

Luminescence of europium(III) β-diketonate complexes in a Nafion membrane

EuL₃ · phen complex compounds (L is benzoylacetone, dibenzoylmethane, or thenoyltrifluoroacetone; phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized in a perfluorosulfonic membrane. The results of adsorption measurements suggest that the complexes experience steric hindrances in the membrane pores. The luminescence from intercalates is sensitized due to the increase in the degree of population of the ⁵ D ₀ excited state of europium(III) caused by the transfer of energy from the ligands. Depending on the type of β-diketonate ligand, the adsorption of water on the modified membrane can enhance or suppress the luminescence from the complex.     

Luminescent Study on Nd3+ Complexes Containing Carboxylate‐Dithiolene and Alkoxide‐Dithiolene Ligands

Reaction of ligand L H₂ (4,5‐bis[carboxymethylthio]‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐thione) with neodymium silyl‐amide (Nd[N(TMS)₂]₃; TMS= ‐SiMe₃), in a ratio 2:1, yields a neodymium‐dithiolene‐carboxylato complex ( 1 ) (Nd( L H) L ). Similarly, reaction of 2 equivalents of L′ H₂ (4,5‐bis[2′‐hydroxyethyl)thio]‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐thione) and one equivalent of neodymium silyl‐amide (Nd[N(TMS)₂]₃) allowed the isolation of complex 2 , with a ligand:metal ratio of 3:2. ATR‐IR spectrum of 1 displays a broad band characteristic of an OH group showing that one carboxylate group remains protonated. Emission spectrum of complex 1 under excitation in the visible region (at 360 nm i.e. on the ligand) displayed typical emission bands of the Nd³⁺, showing that energy transfer from the ligand to the lanthanide was achieved (i.e. “antenna effect”). No significant quenching from the remaining –OH group was detected. In the case of complex 2 , the main emission bands characteristic of the Nd³⁺ ion have been observed, by excitation at 495 nm.     

Luminescent Pt(II)(bipyridyl)(diacetylide) chromophores with pendant binding sites as energy donors for sensitised near-infrared emission from lanthanides: structures and photophysics of Pt(II)/Ln(III) assemblies

The complexes [Pt(bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (1) and [Pt(tBu(2)bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (2) and [Pt(tBu(2)-bipy)(CC-phen)(2)] (3) all contain a Pt(bipy)(diacetylide) core with pendant 4-pyridyl (1 and 2) or phenanthroline (3) units which can be coordinated to {Ln(diketonate)(3)} fragments (Ln = a lanthanide) to make covalently-linked Pt(II)/Ln(III) polynuclear assemblies in which the Pt(II) chromophore, absorbing in the visible region, can be used to sensitise near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) centres. For 1 and 2 one-dimensional coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) are formed, whereas 3 forms trinuclear adducts [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] (tta=anion of thenoyl-trifluoroacetone; hfac=anion of hexafluoroacetylacetone). Complexes 1-3 show typical Pt(II)-based (3)MLCT luminescence in solution at approximately 510 nm, but in the coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) the presence of stacked pairs of Pt(II) units with short PtPt distances means that the chromophores have (3)MMLCT character and emit at lower energy ( approximately 630 nm). Photophysical studies in solution and in the solid state show that the (3)MMLCT luminescence in [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) in the solid state, and the (3)MLCT emission of [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] in solution and the solid state, is quenched by Pt-->Ln energy transfer when the lanthanide has low-energy f-f excited states which can act as energy acceptors (Ln=Yb, Nd, Er, Pr). This results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) units. The extent of quenching of the Pt(II)-based emission, and the Pt-->Ln energy-transfer rates, can vary over a wide range according to how effective each Ln(III) ion is at acting as an energy acceptor, with Yb(III) usually providing the least quenching (slowest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) and either Nd(III) or Er(III) providing the most (fastest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) according to which one has the best overlap of its f-f absorption manifold with the Pt(II)-based luminescence.     

Structural Diversity of Metallosupramolecular Assemblies from Cu(phen)2+ (phen = 1,10‐Phenanthroline) Building Blocks and 4,4′‐Bipyridine

Attempts to crystal engineer metallosupramolecularcomplexes from Cu(phen)²⁺ building blocks and the prototypical,rod‐like, exo‐bidentate ligand 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) by layering techniques are described. Reactions of Cu(phen)²⁺ (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) with 4,4′‐bipy in the presence of NO₃^– counterions yielded two distinct, discrete, dinuclear, C_i symmetric, dumbbell‐typecomplexes, [{Cu(NO₃)₂(phen)}₂(4,4′‐bipy)] ( 1 ) and [{Cu(NO₃)(phen)(H₂O)}₂(4,4′‐bipy)](NO₃)₂ ( 2 ), depending upon the mixture of solvents used for crystallization. In compound 1 , a mono‐ and a bidentate nitrato group coordinate to Cu²⁺, whereas in 2 the monodentate nitrato groups are replaced by aqua ligands, which introduce additional hydrogen‐bond donor functionality to the molecule. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis at 296 and 110 K. Upon cooling, a disorder‐order transition occurs, with retention of the space group symmetry. The crystal structure of 2 at room temperature was reported previously [Z.‐X. Du, J.‐X. Li, Acta Cryst. 2007 , E63, m2282]. We have redetermined the crystal structure of 2 at 100 K. A phase transition is not observed for 2 , but the low temperature single‐crystal structure determination is of significantly higher precision than the room temperature study. Both 1 and 2 are obtained phase‐pure, as proven by powder X‐ray diffraction of the bulk materials. Crystals of [Cu(phen)(CF₃SO₃)₂(4,4′‐bipy) · 0.5H₂O]_n ( 3 ), a one‐dimensional coordination polymer, were obtained from [Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂(phen)(H₂O)₂] and 4,4′‐bipy. In 3 , Cu(phen)²⁺ corner units are joined by 4,4′‐bipy via the two vacant cis sites to form polymeric zig‐zag chains, which are tightly packed in the crystal. Compounds 1 – 3 were further studied by infrared spectroscopy.     

Two Discrete Lanthanum(III) Complexes with Bulky Aromatic Mixed Ligands: Syntheses,Crystal Structures and Fluorescent Properties

Two discrete lanthanide complexes with bulky aromatic mixed‐ligands, {[La₂(na)₆(phen)₂]·[La₂(na)₆(phen)₂]} ( 1 ) and [La₂(na)₆(2,2′‐bipy)₂] ( 2 ) (Hna = 1‐naphthoic acid, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, and 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, IR, elemental analysis, TG‐DTA and fluorescence spectra. Structure determination reveals that 1 contains two separate binuclear [La₂(na)₆(phen)₂] units, in which both crystallographically La^III ions are nine‐coordinated with tricapped trigonal prism polyhedron for La1 and a distorted monocapped square antiprism arrangement for La2; whereas 2 has a binuclear structure bridged by carboxylate groups of four na anions. Due to the introduction of bulky aromatic ligands, non‐classical C–H···O H–bonds and π – involved stacking interactions become the dominantly driving forces for the supramolecular structure. The two solid complexes exhibit intense fluorescent emissions at room temperature resulted from the ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer.     

Rhenium(I) Polypyridine Diamine Complexes as Intracellular Phosphorogenic Sensors: Synthesis,Characterization, Emissive Behavior,Biological Properties,and Nitric Oxide Sensing

We report the development of a series of rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes appended with an electron‐rich diaminoaromatic moiety as phosphorogenic sensors for nitric oxide (NO). The diamine complexes [Re(N^N)(CO)₃(py‐DA)][PF₆] (py‐DA=3‐(N‐(2‐amino‐5‐methoxyphenyl)aminomethyl)pyridine; N^N=1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ( 1 a ), 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Me₄‐phen) ( 2 a ), 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Ph₂‐phen) ( 3 a )) have been synthesized and characterized. In contrast to common rhenium(I) diimines, these diamine complexes were very weakly emissive due to quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) emission by the diaminoaromatic moiety through photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Upon treatment with NO, the complexes were converted into the triazole derivatives [Re(N^N)(CO)₃(py‐triazole)][PF₆] (py‐triazole=3‐((6‐methoxybenzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl)pyridine; N^N=phen ( 1 b ), Me₄‐phen ( 2 b ), Ph₂‐phen ( 3 b )), resulting in significant emission enhancement (I/I₀≈60). The diamine complexes exhibited high reaction selectivity to NO, and their emission intensity was found to be independent on pH. Also, these complexes were effectively internalized by HeLa cells and RAW264.7 macrophages with negligible cytotoxicity. Additionally, the use of complex 3 a as an intracellular phosphorogenic sensor for NO has been demonstrated.     

Visual Detection of Triethylamine and a Dual Input/Output Logic Gate Based on a Eu3+-Complex

A series of Ln³⁺-metal centered complexes, Ln(TTA)₃(DPPI) (Ln = La, 1; Ln = Eu, 2; Ln = Tb, 3; or Ln = Gd, 4) [(DPPI = N-(4-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenyl)-N-phenylbenzenamine) and (TTA = 2-Thenoyltrifluoroacetone)] have been synthesized and characterized. Among which, the Eu³⁺-complex shows efficient purity red luminescence in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution, with a Commission International De L’ Eclairage (CIE) coordinate at x = 0.638, y = 0.323 and Φ_Eu^L = 38.9%. Interestingly, increasing the amounts of triethylamine (TEA) in the solution regulates the energy transfer between the ligand and the Eu³⁺-metal center, which further leads to the luminescence color changing from red to white, and then bluish-green depending on the different excitation wavelengths. Based on this, we have designed the IMPLICATION logic gate for TEA recognition by applying the amounts of TEA and the excitation wavelengths as the dual input signal, which makes this Eu³⁺-complex a promising candidate for TEA-sensing optical sensors.